10: Houston’s rank for time of possession per drive

The Texans offense averages 2:35 time of possession per offensive drive, the 10th-lowest in the NFL. The stat is as bad as it seems when coupled with the fact the Texans score 1.71 points per drive, tied with the Minnesota Vikings for the third-fewest in the NFL. If the Texans play at or below this number against the Jets, they will have a close game with them than they would feel comfortable having.

9: Deandre hopkins’ receiving touchdowns

The former 2013 first-round pick from Clemson has hauled in nine touchdown passes on the season. Quarterback Deshaun Watson should target him in the red zone as he did when the Texans battled against the Colts last week in a 24-21 loss. Hopkins will be going against a Jets secondary that features cornerback Morris Claiborne and safety Jamal Adams, but the All-Pro wideout has always found ways to come out for the bell.

8: Jets qb sam darnold’s rank for longest pass in 2018

The third overall pick from USC hurled a 76-yard touchdown pass to receiver Robby Anderson in the Jets’ 34-16 win over the Denver Broncos on Oct. 7. Even though the Jets are 4-9, even though Darnold has thrown the most interceptions in the NFL, he isn’t awful. There is some nascent talent within that just needs to develop. Houston needs to stay respectful of his future talent while simultaneously exploiting his inexperience.

7: number of kicks ka’imi fairbairn has missed outdoors

The second-year kicker has gone 22-of-28 on field goals and 22-of-23 on extra points outdoors for his career. Fairbairn has been relatively automatic for the Texans in 2018 with an 85.3 field goal percentage. However, the number further illustrates that outdoors in December, the Texans need to punch in their red zone trips, not strictly rely on the foot of Fairbairn.

6: the jets’ rank for opposing passer rating

New York’s defense has limited the collective body of opposing quarterbacks to 86.4, the sixth-lowest in the NFL. What it means is that quarterback Deshaun Watson isn’t going to have a field day slinging it around MetLife Stadium. Instead, he is going to have to play more complementary football and not give the Jets defense opportunities to turn him over, which they can do with 19 takeaways on the season.

5: Jets ranking for yards per carry

The Jets offense averages 4.1 yards per carry, the fifth-lowest total in the NFL. This bodes well for a Houston defense that is tied with the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints for the absolute best run defense in the NFL at 3.6 yards per carry. What this should indicate for the Texans is that they can make the Jets offense more one-dimensional, which puts even more of the onus on rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, who leads the NFL with 15 interceptions.

4: Jets cb morris claiborne’s rank for pass deflections

Claiborne has produced 13 passes defensed in 2018, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. The former Dallas Cowboys 2012 first-round pick has earned a reputation as being injured, but the facts are that when he is healthy, he is lock down. He could affect the targets that receiver DeAndre Hopkins gets, but the All-Pro wideout has shown the ability to get his catches regardless of who is covering him.

3: DE J.J. Watt’s rank for forced fumbles

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has five forced fumbles on the season, good for third-highest in the league. Watt will have his chance to go against Darnold, who has four fumbles on the year, two of which he lost. Going against the rookie quarterback would be a great opportunity for Watt to add to his totals.

2: interceptions qb deshaun watson has thrown the past seven games

The second-year signal caller from Clemson has thrown a total of two interceptions the past seven games, and committed three turnovers in total. Watson is playing the very definition of complementary football, and it is why the Texans are a win away from their first 10-win season in the Bill O’Brien era. If Watson can continue to play that way in New York, it will help tilt the field and put more emphasis on Darnold to try to win the game, a risky proposition for the Jets.

1: Games jets wr robby anderson has had with 100 yards receiving

The third-year wideout may be having a down year due to adjusting with a rookie quarterback and also battling injuries, but Anderson does have the ability to spark a big game if the Texans secondary doesn’t execute. However, Houston is aware of the receiver’s big-play ability and may also look to take out on Anderson their frustration of surrendering 760 receiving yards over the past six quarters.

Email

Like this article?

Sign up for the Texans Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning

An error has occured

Please re-enter your email address.

Thanks for signing up!

You'll now receive the top Texans Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.